Jaime Guerra Has Risen From 13-year-old Stableboy To World-class Equestrian. The Show Jumper Will Compete At The Winter Festival.

In Queretaro, Mexico, where his family relocated after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, Guerra worked his way from groom to one of the world's top equestrians by 23, when he qualified for the 1987 Pan American Games.

"When I dropped out of school, I didn't know how big I could be," Guerra said. "I was hungry to do it. I didn't know, because when you take a chance ... you need a horse, and my father couldn't afford to buy me a horse.

"I started everything from nothing, so I never really dreamed to do everything I did. I was just thinking, how can I get there?"

Since then, Guerra, 41, who moved to Wellington in December, has been to three Olympics, five Pan American Games, two World Championships and 12 Nations Cups.

The show jumper will make his second appearance at the Winter Equestrian Festival that begins today at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club. His previous WEF was in 1988.

His journey from the sport's bottom rung to its pinnacle has been a remarkable one.

Guerra, one of seven children, grew up around horses. His father, Javier, taught at the local riding school. His older brother, Javier Jr., started riding at 6 and was winning trophies at 8.

Jaime started a year later and progressed rapidly through the junior ranks.

Guerra won his first Grand Prix at 16 on Miss Lady, "a horse from the racetrack" that he had borrowed from a friend.

"For me it was something personal," Guerra said. "I knew I wanted to ride. It is like a drug. ... When you try it, you want more and more and more.

"I was always trying to grow in the sport, but it was very hard. In Mexico people don't support you with horses to ride."

Soccer is the No. 1 sport, and cycling, boxing and Olympic diving are more popular, Guerra said. "The equestrian team and horses are at the bottom of the list."

He shook his head.

"It was always good when I went away for championship shows because the level of international competition was high," Guerra said. "I compete against the top riders and top horses in every single class on every single day and that makes you a competitor in this sport.

"At home, nobody can be good, there is no chance. You have to go outside the country and prove that you are good. When you have the chance you have to take it, and that's why I moved to Europe."

Guerra went to the Netherlands in 2000 and competed in small horse shows throughout Europe.

He has become a role model for grooms and others struggling to get a foot in the door. At the National Horse Show in Wellington in December, he won three events over five days.

"I still have some friends who have started from the real nothing -- from the basics," Guerra said.

"I am a model for them since they aspire to do the same thing, like me. I know it is pretty hard and sometimes they are a little bit afraid to do it. I was afraid, too, but I thought OK, I made my decision and said I have to go."

He made his share of sacrifices along the way. He is divorced and his ex-wife, Angelica, takes care of their 8-year-old son, Sebastian, in Queretaro, about 140 miles north of Mexico City.

His focus is the horse show circuit and a business he started with childhood friend Tino Salas of Mexico, buying and selling horses. "There is no time for anything else," Guerra said.

Guerra's fan base includes a large contingent of vocal grooms who gather at the media hut and place small wagers on him.

He is respected among his peers.

"I don't think there isn't one of us who hasn't cleaned his share of stalls coming up in this sport," said 2004 Olympic team gold medalist Chris Kappler of Pittstown, N.J. "It's not given to you at all. ... You have to earn every step of the way.

"Those people [like Jaime] who maybe started as a groom are the ones who do make it to the top because they want it. If you want it, you're going to get it, but you have to make it happen.

"And he did."

RIDERS TO WATCH

Georgina Bloomberg, New York City, 22: The daughter of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is a member of the winning Nations Cup U.S. team.

Margie Engle, Wellington, 47: The Florida International University alumna has won an unprecedented nine American Grand Prix Association Rider of the Year awards.

Jaime Guerra, Mexico and Wellington, 41: The two-time Olympian won three events in five days at last month's National Horse Show.

Lauren Hough, Wellington, 28: The two-time Olympian was a member of the U.S. team that won the 2005 Samsung Super League championship.

Ian Millar, Canada, 59: The eight-time Olympian has competed at the Games more than any other rider.